02/23/2024

Ohio Children's Vision Initiative Announcement

The Ohio Optometric Foundation (OOF) is proud to announce that it was selected by the state of Ohio to manage the newly created Ohio Children's Vision Initiative (OCVI). The legislature included $2.5m in this biennium to cover the costs of about 4,000 comprehensive eye exams and glasses for Ohio K-12 students not currently receiving vision care from an eye doctor. Those funds have been directly granted to OOF. 

"Clear vision is so very important for student success as our children progress through school and learn to read," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. "We want all of Ohio's children to have the opportunity to live up to their God-given potential, and this program will make a significant difference in the lives of children whose families are otherwise unable to access vision care." 

"This initiative will allow thousands of children in need to receive comprehensive eye care and glasses from Ohio's Doctors of Optometry through the Ohio Optometric Foundation's in-school eye exam program (iSee)," Foundation President Dr. Shane Foster stated. "We applaud this generous investment by the General Assembly which will make Ohio a national leader in children's vision advocacy and greatly expand access to comprehensive eye care." 

The OCVI will also include an evaluation component and will collaborate with all stakeholders involved in school-based vision care. 

As a result of this funding, OOF has already started expanding its In-School Eye Exam (iSee) program to reach more students. The iSee program is focused on reaching students who are not currently under the care of a provider and are at risk of falling through the cracks. Doctors participating in the program are eligible to receive continuing education credits and can include their volunteerism in the application process for the Ohio Vision Project’s (OVP) Student Loan Repayment program. The OVP application will be available in late spring. 

To meet the need, OOA has hired a new staff member, Wendy Giambrone, to work exclusively on the iSee program. Wendy comes to the OOA with a rich and diverse professional background and a passion for children’s vision care. Wendy has been working quickly to schedule clinics around the state.  

Since January, clinics have taken place at Xenia Community Schools, A+ Arts Academy in Columbus, Fayette Local Schools and Gibsonburg Exempted Schools with Drs. Kathy Rudolf, Natalie Nguyen, Laura Emch and Lexz Rudinoff, respectively, providing comprehensive eye exams for over 100 students. 

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with upcoming iSee clinics: 

Some schools have not set dates and are able to work with a doctor to find one that works for everyone. Also, schools are often flexible about dates that are already set, so if you’re interested but none of these dates work for you, please indicate that in your response.  

The iSee program can have a profound impact on our students. One teacher at Union Elementary School in Englewood, who helped coordinate an iSee clinic, said, “I personally work with several of the students who received eye exams and glasses and am pleased to report they are making huge progress with their reading!” 

Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Wendy at wgiambrone@ooa.org.